Audiobook Review: Torchwood: The Last Beacon, by Big Finish

In a remote Welsh village, Torchwood operatives Ianto Jones and Owen Harper are tracking what appears to be an alien signal. What should be routine becomes anything but as their attempts to stay incognito get foiled.

In a remote Welsh village, Torchwood operatives Ianto Jones and Owen Harper are tracking what appears to be an alien signal. What should be routine becomes anything but as their attempts to stay incognito get foiled by Harper’s constant habit of getting into trouble and the nosy locals who don’t know what to make of them.

This second release in the fourth series of Torchwood by Big Finish is a vast improvement on the previous release (The Death of Captain Jack). The humour is less forced and there is a genuine comraderie between Burn Gorman (Owen) and Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto) who also wrote this episode. The two leads are the glue that holds this story together. The supporting cast are also excellent but the standout is Ellie Darvill’s wonderful turn as the nosy cleaner Pat.

The wonderful soundscape by Richard Fox and Lauren Yason is an absolute masterclass in how to present an audio that encompasses all manner of locations from abandoned mines to hotel rooms and then to the stormy hillside of Wales. This, along with the superb direction of Scott Handcock, makes this an enjoyable listen.

A bonus interview with the two leads, a preview of the next episode and some outtakes round out this release.

This story captures the vibe of the original TV series well and fans of Torchwood will not be disappointed with this episode. It is a credit to the Big Finish team that they continue to bring out these releases and that, despite a few misses, manage to keep fans entertained. A warning though, that Torchwood has always been aimed at and marketed as an adult series and as such there may be material that is inappropriate for younger listeners. Discretion is most definitely advised.